Transport Retainer

ABSTRACT

A retainer configured for attachment to objects and for carrying personal appliances such as, but not limited to, a cell phone or a music player. The retainer comprising two members held together in substantially parallel relationship by a unshaped joiner at one end and by a ramp attached to the interior side of one of the members toward the other end. The ramp has exterior and interior slopes that allow easy ingress and egress of the retainer onto objects that separate the members as the retainer is pushed on and pushed off the object.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosed embodiments relate generally to a retaining device allowing one to carry and easily attach and detach an appliance, such as a cell phone or a PDA (personal digital appliance) to and from another object.

2. Discussion of the Relevant Art

Cell phones are widely proliferated throughout our society. More and more functionality, such as voice, text, photography, calendaring and email access, is being integrated within the cell phone. These units are evolving into portable, handheld devices often referred to as a personal digital appliance (hereafter collectively the “PDA”). Users are used to carrying their PDA's in their pockets, pocket books and generally about their person, allowing them to receive calls, send/receive email, access their personal information and the like.

A logical place for a PDA is in a pocket, which is at times undesirable. Accordingly, some users employ retainers allowing prompt access to their PDA. The challenge, however, is that such retainers are cumbersome. Namely, they do not provide for simple and prompt ingress and egress of the retainer from the object to which it is attached. One often frustratingly wrestles with the retainer, especially when the cell phone rings and the user tries to take it out before the call is lost. Others have a sinusoidal ingress and egress, but are frustratingly inflexible and are attached to a flexible body, providing for insufficiently difficult ingress and egress of the retainer, especially when it is attached to clothing, belt or a handbag; similarly leaving the user frustrated.

SUMMARY

The disclosed embodiments illustrate and describe a transport retainer designed to provide simple ingress to and egress from an object to which the transport retainer attaches. The disclosed transport retainer is described having two continuous, conjoined and substantially parallel members positioned in a spaced apart, face to face relationship. A deformable and resilient, unshaped joiner is attached to or is integrally extending from each of the respective ends of the two members, thereby positioning the members in their substantially parallel arrangement. Toward the opposite end of the members, the two members are separated by a ramp having exterior and interior slopes commencing and terminating at one of the members. The two slopes meet at the top and are positioned relative to a matching channel in the opposite member, so that the top of the two slopes is seated within the matching channel. The interior slope, the inner perimeter of the joiner and the inner surfaces of the members define an aperture intended for a host object such as a belt, clothing, purse strap or another object chosen by its user.

Accordingly, in operation, the user attaches the retainer to a host object by pushing the retainer onto a host along the exterior slope of the ramp without the user having to initially separate the members and without substantially deforming the host object. With the downward force on the retainer against an object, the force is applied along the exterior slope and thus the object moves up relative to and up the exterior slope until it contacts and pushes the interior of the member opposite the members with the ramp. The applied force continues to push the retainer onto the host object causing the object to temporarily separate the rigid members while the object enters the aperture defined by the interior of the joiner, the interior of the members and the interior slope. After the host object moves through and past the top of the ramp, the joiner returns the top of the ramp to its normally biased resting position against the channel and the object continues to descend through the interior slope and into the aperture. The resilient nature of the joiner, normally biased in its resting position, returns the members to their nominal substantially parallel positions, thus closing the perimeter of the aperture about the host object.

When the user is ready to remove the retainer from the object, he/she reverses the afore-described process. In the egress the object moves along the interior slope, unseating the ramp from the channel and similarly temporarily separating the members allowing the egress of the host object from the aperture. The bias of the joiner returns the top of the slopes to the matching channel. Accordingly, the retainer is easily placed, securely seated and subsequently removed about a host object without the user having to actively separate the members of the retainer for ingress and egress of the retainer about a host object or substantially deforming the object.

Moreover, the retainer is configured to carry a PDA with a mating connector attached to or integrally formed on one of the members. A PDA is permanently or selectively attached to and detached from the retainer and the retainer is in turn selectively attached and detached to a host object. As disclosed, the ingress and egress of the retainer, with or without a PDA, onto or from an object is achieved by pushing the retainer, without the user having to actively separate the members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative retainer described in this specification;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a representative retainer described in this specification;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a representative retainer attached to a cradle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a representative retainer attached to a movable cradle;

FIG. 5 is a perspective, detailed view of the interior slope, exterior slope and the respective seating channel of a representative retainer;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a representative retainer positioned for attachment to a host object;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a representative retainer moving along a host object;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a host object positioned within the aperture of a representative retainer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Shown in FIG. 1, is a representative embodiment of the disclosed retainer 101. Retainer 101 generally comprises a first member 103 and a second member 105. Members 103 and 105 are substantially rectangular having a width, length and height dimensions. Members 103 and 105 are substantially parallel with respect to each other in their nominal resting position. Although it is foreseeable that the functionality of the disclosed embodiments could be replicated by members 103 and 105 that are not parallel. Member 103 is defined by oppositely disposed, substantially rigid bottom portion 107, top portion 111 and sides 109. Similarly, member 105 is defined by oppositely disposed, substantially rigid bottom portion 121, a top portion 115 and sides 117. It should be also noted that the embodiments throughout this description are described in terms of functional sections. However, the functionality of members 103 and 105 along with joiner 113 could be formed or described as a single device formed in u-shape or a shape substantially similar thereto. Inventor intends the scope of this description and the accompanying claims to cover both of such implementations and/or structures throughout each of the disclosed embodiments.

Top portions 111 and 115 are joined by a joiner 113. In one embodiment joiner 113 is a resilient, substantially rigid, u-shaped and an integral continuation of top portions 111 and 115, having a diameter allowing it to join and maintain members 103 and 105 in a substantially parallel, face-to-face position. As mentioned above, the diameter of joiner 113 could exceed or be less than the distance between the bottom of members 107 and 121 delivering the same or substantially equivalent results. For sake of clarity and ease of reading, the embodiments will be described in view of substantially parallel arrangement of members 103 and 105.

In another embodiment (not shown) joiner 113 could be constructed in a different shape than members 103 and 105, but continuing to position members 103 and 105 in a face-to-face arrangement. Yet in another embodiment, joiner 113 could be structured to attach to members 103 and 105, either selectively or in a manufacturing process; again maintaining members 103 and 105 in a substantially face-to-face position. Moreover, joiner 113 could be constructed of plastic, polymer, ceramic or any other material. For simplicity of use and/or manufacture, however, the entire device 101 may be constructed from the same material, utilizing a single mold and simplifying the manufacturing process. If constructed of plastic or ceramic materials, the user could wear or keep retainer 101 while going through security checkpoints, which are becoming more commonplace.

As shown in FIG. 2, another characteristic of joiner 113 of the described device is its resiliency, allowing members 103 and 105 to move and separate about their bottom portions 107 and 121 as shown at 211. As bottom portions 107 and 121 are separated from each other along direction 211, the separation selectively and temporarily deforms the idle, face to face arrangement between members 103 and 105. The rigid nature of members 103 and 105 substantially preserves and maintains members' 103 and 105 nominal shapes and transfers the force applied to separate bottom portions 107 and 121 to resilient joiner 113. Resilient joiner 113 deforms or flexes allowing the separation of members 103 and 105, and upon release of the force along 211 returns to its original shape and thereby returns members 103 and 105 to their nominal, idle positions, where a ramp top 129 is seated in a matching channel 127.

Attached to or formed integrally with one of members 103 and/or 105 is a ramp 119. As shown, ramp 119 has an exterior slope 123 and an interior slope 125 coming to ramp top 129. Ramp 119 is generally matched to the dimensions of its host member 103 and/or 105. Moreover, the distance between the ramp top 129 and its member 105 gauges the distance between the lower portions 107 and 121 of members 103 and 105. Ramp 119 could be solid or its middle 227 could be hollow to conserve weight, materials or simply for esthetic value. Aperture 231 is defined by the interior perimeters of joiner 113, members 103 and 105, interior slope 125, along with the radius dimension of joiner 113 and height of ramp 119. As will be described in further detail below, aperture 231 is used to house an object about the user, thereby attaching retainer 101 to objects about the user.

Shown in FIG. 3 is a device 301, comprising carrying means 303, such as a cradle attached to retainer 101. Cradle 303 is representative of a means for carrying a device such as a cell phone or a music player. For example, cradle 303 illustrated in this FIG. 3 is structured for a cell phone. A bottom portion 307 is dimensioned to accept the bottom portion of a cell phone when seated in cradle 303. To securely retain the cell phone in cradle 303, retaining stop 305 is constructed toward the opposite, top portion of cradle 303. Stop 305 is configured to seat in a respective indent or seat formed in the cell phone. Moreover, the exemplary cradle 303 employs a leveraging member 309. Member 309 is used to temporarily deflect the resilient portion of cradle 303 adjacent or attached to stop 305 to position stop 305 over or in the area of the respective indent or seat formed in the cell phone. Given the resilient properties of at least that portion of cradle 303, stop 305 seats, resuming its initial shape and the shape of cradle 303, thereby securing the cell phone within cradle 303. To remove the cell phone, similarly, member 309 is used to temporarily retreat back the resilient portion of cradle 303 adjacent or attached to stop 305 to release 305 from the respective indent or seat formed in the cell phone. Once the stop is unseated, the cell phone is removed from cradle 303 and once the member 309 is released, its resilient properties return it and cradle 303 to their original shape. Similarly, one could retain PDAs, music players or any other small device.

Similar to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 illustrates a device 401 comprising cradle 303 attached to retainer 101, where the attachment means 405 between cradle 303 and retainer 101 is a ratchet mechanism. In another embodiment attachment means 405 may be a simpler hinge. In other embodiments a cell phone and retainer 101 may be matched to corresponding means for attaching the cell phone to retainer 101. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, attachment means 405 allows cradle 303 to swivel along axis 403. Such swivel allows the user to comfortably or functionally position cradle 303 and/or a cell phone seated therein. As before, the same applies to PDAs, music players or any other small device.

FIG. 5 illustrates ramp 119 in further detail. Ramp 119 comprises interior slope 125 and exterior slope 123, joining together at slope top 129. As illustrated, slope top 129 is a substantially straight line. In one embodiment slope top 129 has blunt characteristics to avoid damage to its user, clothing or items that pass by it. Although illustrated in its simplest or most logical form, ramp 119 could be of any shape or configuration providing an exterior slope 123 for ingress and an interior slope 125 for egress of retainer 101 to and from an article. Logically, ramp 119 is substantially matched to one or more dimensions of members 103 and 105. However, alternate embodiments of ramp 119 and/or member(s) 103 and 105 could be configured to different dimensions as well, yet maintain the functionality of ingress and egress facilitated by slopes 123 and 125.

Also illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 5 is channel 127. Channel 127 is configured to match the dimensions and position of slope top 129. In one embodiment, channel 129 is a recess forming an indented seat to match slope top 129. Other configurations are possible as well (not illustrated). For example, channel 129 may be a formed bead of material matching a corresponding seat recess (not illustrated) formed on slope top 129. Yet other embodiments may be some combination of the two. Overall, channel 127 and slope top 129 have a corresponding relationship allowing the two to have a definitive engagement when retainer 101 is in its idle, normally resting position.

FIG. 6 illustrates the ingress of retainer 101 over an article, such as a belt 603. The user positions retainer 101 between the interior of the respective lower portions 107 and 121 of members 103 and 105 over article 603 and moves retainer 101 down substantially along the axis 313. This movement positions exterior slope of ramp 123 along article 603. As the user continues to move retainer 101 in the downward direction along axis 313, exterior slope 123 moves along article 603 without the user having to actively separate members 103 and 105 or the lower portions 107 and 121. As article 603 reaches the top of exterior slope 123, it is resisted by the seated slope top 129 seated in channel 127. As illustrated in FIG. 7, additional downward force along axis 313 through retainer 101 separates ramp 119 and slope top 129 from channel 127. This allows retainer 101 to temporarily deform at joiner 113 after passing over article 603 along its exterior slope 123 and slope top 129. Once slope top 129 clears article 603, joiner 113 returns members 103 and 105 to their normal resting position, where slope top 129 rests in channel 127. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the resilient characteristic of joiner 113 returns members 103 and 105, as well as slope top 129 and channel 127 to their normal positions, thereby confining article 603 about aperture 231. Note that the force in the downward direction of axis 313 labors the separation along axis of separation 211 of members 103 and 105, without requiring the user to actively separate tables 103 and 105 in the ingress of retainer 101 about article 603 toward its confined position in aperture 231.

This design also allows the use of retainer 101 with articles 603 having dimensions exceeding aperture 231. In such cases, the ingress of retainer 101 will function as described below, except that article 603 will not clear or fully pass by slope top 129 and channel 127. In this scenario, the resilient characteristics of joiner 113 will maintain a force along axis 211 along slope top 129 against article 603 and maintain retainer 101 engaged with article 603. Once again, this embodiment allows the user to place retainer 101 in engagement with article 603 without having to initially and actively separate members 103 and 105 along axis 211.

FIG. 8 illustrates article 603 confined in aperture 231 and slope top 129 seated in channel 127. In the egress, to remove retainer 101 from article 603, the user applies an upward force through retainer 101 along axis 313; thereby moving article 603 along exterior slope 125 toward slope top 129. As in the ingress, force along axis 313 temporarily separates members 103 and 105 and correspondingly unseats or further separates slope top 129 from channel 127, without the user having to actively separate the same. As shown in FIG. 7, article 603 passes between slope top 129 and member 105 until it clears slope top 129 and is then clear of confinement of aperture 231 and retainer 101. The resilient properties of joiner 113 return members 103 and 105 and correspondingly slope top 129 and channel 127 to their normal positions.

Another desirable aspect of the disclosed embodiments is the ability to form retainer 101 and/or cradle 303 and/or attachment means 405 from a ceramic and/or plastic material free or substantially free of metal content. This facilitates ease of manufacturing and allows the user to maintain the described device on his/her person while passing through security check points, such as the ones at the airports; thereby further adding value. In other applications, the disclosed retainer embodiments may be formed from metal or other materials to suit the application. Yet in alternate embodiments, device 101 could be configured to achieve the aforementioned results by employing deformable and resilient member 103 and/or member 105.

While the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a degree of latitude or modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure. It will be appreciated that in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without corresponding use of other features without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth. 

1. A retainer comprising: a joiner section arranging at least two members in a substantially face to face arrangement; at least one ramp coupled to one of said members further comprising an exterior slope and an interior slope converging to a slope top; an aperture defined by said joiner, interior of said members and said interior slope of said ramp for holding an article therein; wherein at least one of said joiner and said members further comprise resilient properties configured to allow a force applied through said retainer to move said retainer in the direction of said object and temporarily separate said members as the object moves along said exterior slope toward said aperture in the ingress and to allow a force applied through said retainer to move said retainer in the direction away from said object and temporarily separate said members as the object moves along said interior slope away from said aperture in the egress.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a channel positioned in said other member and configured to seat said slope top.
 3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a carrying means coupled to said retainer for transporting at least one device therein.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said carrying means is a cradle configured to carry a device.
 5. The device of claim 3 further comprising an attachment means configured to couple said carrying means with said retainer.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said attachment means comprises a ratchet mechanism configured to allow the user to move said carrying means with respect to said retainer along at least one axis of movement.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein said ramp is hollow.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is free of metal content.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is manufactured from a single mold.
 10. A retainer comprising: a joiner section positioning at least two members in a substantially face to face arrangement; at least one ramp further comprising an exterior slope and an interior slope converging to a slope top and coupled to one of said members; a channel positioned in said second member and configured to seat said slope; an aperture defined by said joiner, interior of said members and said interior slope of said ramp for holding an article therein; wherein at least one of said joiner and said members further comprise resilient properties configured to allow a force applied through said retainer to move said retainer in the direction of said object and temporarily separate said members as the object moves along said exterior slope toward said aperture in the ingress and to allow a force applied through said retainer to move said retainer in the direction away from said object and temporarily separate said members as the object moves along said interior slope away from said aperture in the egress.
 11. The device of claim 10 further comprising a carrying means coupled to said retainer for transporting at least one device therein.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein said carrying means is a cradle configured to carry a communication device.
 13. The device of claim 11 further comprising an attachment means configured to couple said carrying means with said retainer.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein said attachment means comprises a ratchet mechanism configured to allow the user to move said carrying means with respect to said retainer along at least one axis of movement.
 15. The device of claim 10 wherein said ramp is hollow.
 16. The device of claim 10 wherein said device is free of metal content.
 17. The device of claim 10 wherein said device is manufactured from a single mold.
 18. A retainer comprising: joiner means for arranging at least two members in a substantially face to face arrangement; at least one ramp means coupled to one of said members further comprising an exterior slope and an interior slope converging to a slope top; an aperture means defined by said joiner means, interior of said members and said interior slope of said ramp for holding an article therein; wherein at least one of said joiner means and said members further comprise resilient properties configured to allow a force applied through said retainer to move said retainer in the direction of said object and temporarily separate said members as the object moves along said exterior slope toward said aperture means in the ingress and to allow a force applied through said retainer to move said retainer in the direction away from said object and temporarily separate said members as the object moves along said interior slope away from said aperture means in the egress. 